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25
PREVENTION OF TUBERCULOSIS IN YOUNG PEOPLE
In Mid 1950 an approach was made by the Medical Research
Council for co-operation in carrying out trials of Anti-Tuberculosis
Vaccine in order to try to obtain evidence of the value of B.C.G.
Vaccine in persons exposed to the ordinary conditions of life in
this country, and to decide ultimately whether a vaccine can be
used for general immunisation.
The proposals were approved and were put into effect in the
Autumn. The trials relate to children about to leave Secondary
Modern Schools at the age of 15 years with regular follow-up
examination for at least 3 years. Circulars explaining the scheme
and inviting volunteers are sent at the beginning of each term to
the parents of children who are to leave at the end of the next
following term.
The routine is that during the penultimate school term, all
scholars are x-rayed and tuberculin tested, and of those who are
negative (i.e. those who have never been infected with tuberculosis)
one half receive B.C.G. and the other half does not—this constitutes
the control group. The routine follow-up covers all groups, i.e.
those who are tuberculin positive, the inoculated and the controls.
The preliminary organisation and the recruitment of volunteers
is carried out by the School Health Service which notifies the
Medical Research Council, which undertakes the detailed organisation
and work.
During the final school term, i.e. 12 to 16 weeks after the
initial examination etc., there is a second tuberculin test and x-ray
of all who were negative at the first test. Later, all groups will be
x-rayed and tuberculin tested at regular intervals for at least 3 years
and will receive follow-up visits by the Health Visitor/School
Nurses.
The Medical Research Council's team began in Walthamstow
in November, 1950, using the West Avenue Welfare Centre.
Acceptances were : boys 67, girls 62, total 129.
It is to be hoped that the trials will point the way to general
immunisation against tuberculosis, and that the success claimed in
other countries by the use of B.C.G. will be repeated in this country.
Mass Radiography.—The Mass Radiography Unit of the
North-East Regional Hospital Board visited Walthamstow during
1950. Every endeavour was made to secure the examination of as
many as possible of the school staffs and of school leavers.
A total of 365 school staff was examined together with 3,015
school leavers and children aged over 13½ years.